Defining Community Development

It should go without saying that you’ll clearly define what community development means for your community before embarking on a strategic plan. But you would be surprised at how many communities start down this path without a clear outline in place.

When I worked at the Delta Regional Authority, we were directed by Congress to update the strategic plan for the 252 counties and parishes we served in parts of eight states. It was a broad, ambitious effort.

In order to give ourselves focus, we defined the areas we felt were key to any true strategic plan. Here are a few of them (all are things you should consider in your community):

1. Health Care:

♦ Work with employers, government agencies and additional partners to develop innovative programs designed to reduce the number of people suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

♦ Have community health events, faith-based programs and other activities designed to educate residents about the importance of workforce health.

♦ Have a clear plan to bring quality physicians to your community.

♦ Work with major regional employers to establish worksite clinics and wellness programs.

2. Information Technology:

♦ Support efforts to provide all hospitals, clinics and other primary-care providers with the best possible broadband Internet access so they can advance the use of telemedicine.

♦ Work to ensure that all residents have access to broadband Internet while also ensuring they have the training and knowledge needed to operate in the Internet environment.

♦ Support the use of distance education capabilities in schools and the training of personnel to manage these operations.

♦ Enhance workforce development by providing more adults with access to computer literacy training.

♦ Work with local governments and nonprofit organizations to develop and maintain websites that provide up-to-date information and services.

3. Workforce Development:

♦ Work with community colleges and public school districts to better align vocational education and professional certification programs with industry cluster development efforts.

♦ Support efforts to link community colleges with regional economic development efforts.

♦ Support employer-based training and education programs that equip people to work in technical and professional occupations.

4. Transportation:

♦ Advance infrastructure efforts that respect local cultural and economic interests while preserving the area’s natural resources.

♦ Support the development of intermodal transportation networks that allow for the movement of goods via containers using water, air and land transportation modes.

5. Leadership training:

♦ Continue training new leaders through an annual leadership program in your community.

♦ Encourage graduates of your leadership program to participate in alumni networks and events.

♦ Support local initiatives launched by leadership program graduates.

Are these among the areas addressed in your strategic plan? If not, do you really believe you have a holistic approach to community development?

— Rex Nelson

Information Technology’s Place In Community Development

When you talk to savvy community and economic developers across the country, one thing quickly becomes clear:

Information technology is as critical to this nation’s infrastructure as are highways, electrical grids, water systems and sewer systems.

I’ve become more convinced than ever that broadband deployment must be a key element in the economic revitalization of this country’s rural areas.

Advanced information technology applications are necessary to connect rural residents to the knowledge-based economy.

Proper deployment of the technological resources now available will allow us to bring world-class education, health services, employment opportunities and business opportunities to even the smallest communities.

Those who make policy at the local, state and federal levels would never consider preventing people’s access to highways. By the same token, we shouldn’t hinder their access to the information highways of the 21st century.

When I served as one of the president’s two appointees to the Delta Regional Authority, we released a landmark report known as iDelta. The report concluded:

“The economic, educational and health needs of the Delta region are well-documented and well-known. It is simply not possible for the residents of the Delta to live where they live and still compete in an ever more demanding global marketplace without the primary tools necessary for success in that marketplace.

Information technology is foremost among those tools. With congressional and presidential mandates to significantly improve conditions in the Delta, the DRA can use the lessons chronicled in iDelta to forever change the expectations and lives of the residents of this great region.”

You can read the entire iDelta report here.  Even if you don’t live in the Delta, there are many lessons to be learned.

You should incorporate the following things into the strategic development plans for your community:

1.  Geographic information systems

Use GIS systems to support initiatives in health, transportation, economic development, community development, homeland security and other areas.

2.  Telehealth

People in rural areas need access to health care that’s augmented by the use of information technology applications. These applications can include basic or specialized clinical services, professional continuing education and improved medical practice management.

3.  Community access

Residents need access to broadband Internet. They also must have the training needed to operate in the Internet environment.

4.  Awareness

Residents need to be aware of the value of technology to their economic future and the resources available to achieve success.

5.  Distance education

All schools should have distance education capabilities and trained personnel to manage those operations.

6.  Workforce development

All adults should have access to training in computer literacy, workforce skills and business practices such as e-commerce and entrepreneurship.

7.  E-government

All communities should have Internet home pages that provide information and services to their citizens as well as the public outside those communities.

If your community can do these things, you’ll have a leg up on your competitors when it comes to attracting jobs and investments.

— Rex Nelson